What About Heart Disease In Women? A Concern, Or Not?
For a long time, heart disease has been considered a "man's disease." Most of the information was targeted to men, and most of the scientific studies were performed on men. There was no discussion as to whether or not heart disease affected woman - it just wasn't even a consideration.
Now, we know much more about heart disease in women. We know that there are different ways that heart disease affects women than men, and that both have to be concerned and take care of their hearts.
The Risk For Heart Disease In Women
Many people believe that breast cancer is most prevalent for women, because they may hear about it the most. That "fact" though just isn't true, particularly for women over 65. (Men tend to have heart problems 7 to 8 years earlier than women, but by age 65 the risk has evened out.) Heart disease is the leading cause of death for women in that older segment of the population. And for American women, they are 4-6 times more likely to die from heart disease than from breast cancer. In fact, heart disease kills more women over 65 than all types of cancer combined.
Other Important Info About Heart Disease In Women
When it comes to heart attacks, which is a result of heart disease, doctors have discovered that women are less likely to survive than men. Perhaps this is because women delay getting treatment, or because their smaller vessels and hearts are more easily damaged. Doctors are still studying this situation, in an effort to raise women's chances of survival after a heart attack.
How Can We Avoid Heart Disease In Women?
We can't do much about our age or family history. Those are set, and we should be sure our doctor knows about things like a family history of heart disease, particularly in women. But some other things we can change in our life to prevent heart disease. For example, we should avoid smoking (especially if also taking birth control pills) and high blood pressure, and high cholesterol. Diet is key! If diet alone is not sufficient to lower blood pressure and cholesterol, medication might be called for. Talk to your primary care physician and set up a plan to reduce your risks for heart disease.
Excess weight also adds a strain to the heart and arteries. Lowering your weight - particularly if obese - means you will also lower your risk of other noxious diseases, such as diabetes and arthritis. Along with losing the excess weight, you should be exercising on a regular basis. Your heart is just another muscle, and it needs exercise to be in top-notch condition. It is smart to get aerobic exercise that works the heart, like swimming, running, or cycling. If you'd rather not go outside, you can use an inside version - like a treadmill, or exercise bike. Experts recommend getting at least 20 minutes of heart-pumping exercise at least three days a week, and that interval training is best - work the body to the maximum for a bit, then back off a bit, then back harder again. This is considered the optimal way to get the body in better shape.
For those who want to avoid heart disease in women, these are the basics. There are other ideas available, particularly when it comes to diet, that your primary care physician can share with you.
